What a send-off! Athletes in tears at world's biggest leaving party

Mind-blower: Fireworks as the London Games were brought to a close Pic: GETTY Pic: GETTY

Athletes had tears in their eyes as they watched the closing ceremony from the centre of the stadium and bade farewell to an “amazing” Olympics.

As the competitors entered the arena, the London Symphony Orchestra played a special composition in their honour, giving them a chance to reflect on what has been hailed as the most mesmerising Games ever, although the night was tinged with sadness as it signalled the end of 16 extraordinary days.

Gold medal-winning whitewater canoeist Etienne Stott, 33, said: “The vibe was awesome and the light show was amazing. It was a sad moment in a way but you’ve got to make a happy moment of it, and I thought it was really good. It’s a bit sad for it to finish as it means the party is over.”

Team GB backstroke swimmer Liam Tancock, 27, said: “The Olympics have been an amazing experience for me. To end it like that, with the best of British — what a show.” Rower Alan Campbell said: “The Olympics have ended, but hopefully good news on the front pages and the back page won’t end. That seven minutes last Friday [when he won bronze] changed my life.”

Swimmer Caitlin McClatchey, 26, said: “It was so amazing just to be part of this. It was mindblowing. To have The Who and for the Spice Girls to reform for this, it was really cool.”

The reunion of the Spice Girls had Boris Johnson dancing wildly in the royal box, competing with Take That as the highlight of what artistic director Kim Gavin called a “party for the world”.

The three-hour show, watched by 26 million British TV viewers alone, featured some of the biggest names in the last 50 years of British pop music, aided by 3,500 volunteers, including 380 east London children. It ended after the Mayor handed the Olympic flag to his Rio counterpart.

Team GB sprinter Anyika Onuora, 27, said: “It was a dream. London 2012 put on such a fantastic show. I don’t think Brazil can top that.” Her 200 metres sprint colleague Margaret Adeoye, 27, said: “In the middle of that, you are thinking you are proud to be British.”

Dutch sailor Annemieke Bes, 34, said: “Sometimes as athletes it’s hard to follow what is happening in the stadium, but this was a lot of fun. I think it’s a lovely way to say goodbye.”

Finnish sprint kayaker Anne Rikala, 35, said: “Everything’s been working super well and everyone is really nice. Compared to Beijing this was much more down to earth, but in a good way.”

Dancers James Wakeling, 18, from Wiltshire, and Lucy Wang, 21, from near Maidstone, performed in Here Comes The Sun, when 303 white boxes — each representing an Olympic event — were assembled into a pyramid. “The atmosphere was breathtaking,” said Wakeling. Rosie Williams, 20, from Cornwall, and Helen Parsons, 20, from Surrey, dance students at the London Studio Centre in King’s Cross, were also involved in the pyramid. “I have never felt anything like it,” said Helen.

Timothy Spall, who played Churchill, said: “My heart stopped about half way through the speech, but luckily my legs were shaking so much it kept me going.”

Ricky Wilson, of the Kaiser Chiefs, who performed The Who’s Pinball Wizard, said: “You can’t buy drugs like that.